New restaurant revealed for 55 Colmore Row

A restaurant chain specialising in Brazilian food has been revealed as the latest operator to move into Birmingham’s business district.

City District, the company behind the popular Fazenda and Picanha by Fazenda brands, has submitted plans to occupy the last remaining unit within the refurbished 55 Colmore Row.

It will take the unit on the corner of Church Street and Barwick Street at the back of the building – putting it in direct competition with neighbouring Gaucho and a host of other nearby restaurants.

The restaurant will become the fifth Fazenda in the UK, joining a portfolio with outlets in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh.

City District is now looking for an experienced General Manager to train in either the Leeds, Liverpool or Manchester restaurants before relocating to Birmingham in time for the opening of the new restaurant in September.

In its job advert, City District said the General Manager would be expected to run the restaurant “effectively and profitably while creating and maintaining an excellent reputation and ethos”.

Fazenda first opened its doors in Leeds in 2010 and has built up the portfolio since then.

“Our success has been based on a combination of novel concept, high quality and management efforts to create an amazing environment both for customers to dine in but also for staff to enjoy working in,” it says.

City District has applied to Birmingham City Council for permission to install branded awnings outside the restaurant, together with a name sign featuring the brand’s distinctive logo and mesh barriers screening an area of outdoor tables. The restaurant’s main entrance will be off Barwick Street.

A design and access statement accompanying the planning application states: “As the restaurant fronts to a secondary street the operators are keen to ensure that it will be evident from Church Street. They propose to introduce retractable awnings over each of their windows here, together with an illuminated projecting sign to denote the existing entrance on Barwick Street.

“In practice Fazenda will operate the majority part of the restaurant areas at the rear (lower ground level) of the overall 55 Colmore Row building.

“The proposals comprise modest and appropriate changes which will not have a detrimental effect on heritage assets in overall terms. They are relevant to support the continued use of the listed building with new street level restaurant activity and will positively enhance the Conservation Area and character of Barwick Street.”